What are ligaments?
A ligament is a tough band of white, fibrous, slightly elastic tissue.This is an essential part of the skeletal joints; binding the bone ends together to prevent dislocation and excessive movement that might cause breakage. Ligaments also support many internal organs; including the uterus, the bladder, the liver, and the diaphragm and helps in shaping and supporting the breasts. Ligaments, especially those in the ankle joint and knee, are sometimes damaged by injury. A “torn” ligament usually results from twisting stress when the knee is turned while weight is on that particular leg. (Read more about anterior cruciate ligament injuries {knee_lig_injuries} here). Minor sprains are treated with ice, bandages, and Chiropractic therapy, but if the ligament is torn, the joint may be placed in a plaster cast to allow time to heal or it may require surgical repairs. If a ligament is made up of several thick bands of fibrous branches, it is called a “collateral ligament. ” The word “ligament”
Ligaments are the fibrous, slightly stretchy connective tissues that hold one bone to another in the body, forming a joint. Ligaments control the range of motion of a joint, preventing your elbow from bending backwards, for example, and stabilizing the joint so that the bones move in the proper alignment. Ligaments are composed of strands of collagen fibers. While ligaments are slightly stretchy, that they are arranged in crossing patterns prevents the joint itself to become loose. Stretching exercises increase the length and flexibility of the muscles, allowing the joint to move farther than before. The ligaments themselves are not stretched, as they provide the support for the joint. This stretching of the muscles is what allows martial artists to perform seemingly impossible kicks and contortionists to stretch their bodies into fantastic positions. If ligaments are stretched, either by injury, excess strain on a joint, or by improper stretching techniques, the joint will become weak
